Automatic yard operation using a fixed block system

Abstract

A system for automatic operation of rapid transit vehicles in a railway yard. The vehicles have a receiver system which is responsive to information communicated thereto and a control system responsive to the receiver system for controlling the continued operation of vehicle. The invention includes: a first entry/exit track circuit having at least one transmitting system for transmitting vehicle control information to vehicles within its section of the first entry/exit track circuit, and at least one switching system for reversing the first entry/exit track circuit; a second entry/exit track circuit having at least one transmitting system for transmitting vehicle control information to vehicles within its section of the second entry/exit track circuit, and at least one switching system for reversing the second entry/exit track circuit.

I claim: 
     
       1. A fixed block system for automatic operation of rapid transit vehicles in a railway yard, each of said vehicles having a receiver means which is responsive to information communicated thereto and control means responsive to said receiver means for controlling the continued operation of said vehicles, said system further including: a first entry/exit track circuit having at least one transmitting means for transmitting vehicle control information to vehicles within its section of said first entry/exit track circuit, and at least one switching means for reversing said first entry/exit track circuit;   a second entry/exit track circuit having at least one transmitting means for transmitting vehicle control information to vehicles within its section of said second entry/exit track circuit, and at least one switching means for reversing said second entry/exit track circuit;   at least two storage tracks disposed between said first entry/exit track circuit and said second entry/exit track circuit, each storage track having at least two storage track circuits, each of which is slightly longer than a vehicle length, each said storage track circuit having at least one transmitting means for transmitting vehicle control information to vehicles within said storage track circuit; and   a computer capable of sending commands to each of said transmitting means to allow said vehicles to operate.   
     
     
       2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising interlocking logic means, said computer being connected to said interlocking logic means; whereby said computer sends non-vital requests to said interlocking logic means which converts said non-vital requests to vital cab signal requests and issues said vital cab signal requests to each of said transmitting means and said switching means. 
     
     
       3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting means is a cab signal loop. 
     
     
       4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said cab signal loop injects an audio frequency cab signal into its associated track circuit, wherein said cab signal is received by said receiver means on board said vehicle and is translated into commands by said control means to allow said vehicle to operate. 
     
     
       5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said first and second entry/exit track circuits are audio frequency type track circuits. 
     
     
       6. The system according to claim 1, wherein each storage track circuit and entry/exit track circuit include a second transmitting means to allow bi-directional movement of said vehicles.